About the Book

During sleep the body and mind repairs itself in order to thrive. It is a time for restoration where essential truths are revealed in the realm of dreams, engaging with all the senses.

In dreams, perception of time and space defies scientific laws. There are no rules in these surreal vistas, only an invitation to explore, untethered, and learn the true nature of our fears and desires.

Throughout history a reverence for the power and meaning of dreams has shaped civilisations. They provide us with a potent awareness of ourselves and our bearing in the world.

How Shall I Get Elephants to Stay is an account of my own vivid dreams, illustrated and embodied by my photographs, paintings and sculptures. The title itself comes from a vivid dream which showed me writing this book. It is my testimony to the beauty, wonder and mystery of the inner and outer natural worlds. ▹▹▹

"In her book How Shall I Get Elephants To Stay, Gaynor brings mythical beauty and depth to all her subjects - the human body, rich landscapes and abandoned detritus of our 'civilised' way of life. Her dream stories add yet more otherworldly mystery and a fairytale lens of significance to her perceptions of our external world. A magical, internal journey into the subconscious and awe of our natural surroundings. It's a highly feminine, moonlit exploration into the endless paths within our selves. " Kate Daisy Grant - musician, SE practitioner, trainee Body Psychotherapist

In my creative work I am immersed in portraying the truth. What the truth is, what it is composed of and how to perceive it, are central to my themes.
I believe that to discern the precinct of truth, it is essential to nurture a fluent dialogue with the subconscious. By developing a keen awareness of intuitive feelings, a curiosity and belief in the imagery and sensory episodes delivered in the dream state, one can discover an authentic affinity with the world.
The audio visual aspects of my work can be viewed at:
http://www.vimeo.com/gaynorperry
"I love the way your figures seem to appear out of nowhere. They emerge like our deepest fears and most intense longings from the evocative backgrounds of abstraction. These mythological figures remind me of archetypes and Freudian thought. Each of your works are compelling and provoke us to encounter our subconscious in a direct manner."
Abraham Lubelski, Publisher, NY Arts Magazine